School Health Advisory Councils (SHAC)

• Requires local school health advisory councils (SHAC) to meet at least four times per year. Requirements for each meeting includes posting notices of council meetings 72 hours prior to the meeting detailing the date, hour, place, and subject of the meeting. Meeting minutes must include the deliberation, vote, order, decision, and other actions that occurred in the meeting. Requires that meeting minutes and audio and video recordings are sent to the district no later than the 10th day after the meeting, and the district must post the minutes and recordings on their website.

School Safety Allotment

• Relocated school safety allotment code from TEC 42.168 to TEC 48.115.
• Requires that a school district must certify, in their school safety and security audit, that they used funds provided to the district through the school safety allotment only for the purposes provided by TEC 48.115.
• Added language to school safety allotment fund allocation. For school safety and security training and planning, funds can be used for evidence-based, effective prevention practices related to emergencies and threats, including through:
  • (i) Providing licensed counselors, social workers, and individuals trained in restorative discipline and restorative justice practices.
  • (ii) Providing mental health personnel and support.
  • (iii) Providing behavioral health services.
  • (iv) Establishing threat reporting systems.
  • (v) Developing and implementing programs focused on restorative justice practices, culturally relevant instruction, and providing mental health support.
• The commissioner of education is responsible for annually publishing a report regarding school safety fund allocation, and the programs, personnel, and resources which were purchased by districts from this fund.

Effective June 16, 2021:

Effective September 1, 2021: